Just checked specific gravities after several days of my "normal" usage of 20-30 miles a day and recharge every evening. Ranged from 1.21 to 1.240 - mostly in the higher range (one @ 1.21 and one at 1.22). This corresponds to SOC in the 60% to 80% range.

Continued confirmation that the charge algorithm is woefully short of good battery maintenance.

That is true - for my vehicle. (IMHO) - ANY FLA battery that I use will end up with the same results (in my vehicle). I did perform a "load" test that indicates my battery has lost about 30% of it's capacity. Going to try bringing it back by "equalizing" periodically with my 15 amp charger (sits right at 16 volts - only for a hour or two!) and then overnight on my ~ 1 amp "desulfator" charger.

Is there any experience/data that other Leaf models have better charging methods that actually "float" the battery? (it takes hours at float conditions to optimize FLA (and AGM) battery performance and that is after the battery is at ~100% SOC). The TelCom industry uses some very expensive AGMs (Northstar Blues) that are actually designed for this type of service - but they "like" to be recharged to 100% SOC whenever and as quickly as possible even though they are designed to sulfate slowly.

So pluging in my 12 volt charger is kind of a pain. My OpenEVSE has a cordset that has the extra wire for proximity. I'm thinking if I extend a 12 volt cable to the charge hatch. Then rewire the proximity wire in the handle with a 12 volt pigtail that'll plug in to the connector now under the hatch. Then on the EVSE side connect the proximity wire to another pigtail that I can plug my 12 volt charger into. Then I can charge the 12 volt battery by simply connecting the pigtail on the handle and hatch when I'm plugging in to charge.

QueenBee wrote:So pluging in my 12 volt charger is kind of a pain. My OpenEVSE has a cordset that has the extra wire for proximity. I'm thinking if I extend a 12 volt cable to the charge hatch. Then rewire the proximity wire in the handle with a 12 volt pigtail that'll plug in to the connector now under the hatch. Then on the EVSE side connect the proximity wire to another pigtail that I can plug my 12 volt charger into. Then I can charge the 12 volt battery by simply connecting the pigtail on the handle and hatch when I'm plugging in to charge.

What do you all think?

QueenBee;

Not too sure if I get the "jist" of what you are asking - but off the top, some things to check;1. Is the proximity wiring capable of handling the current of your charger? (could be OK with a trickle type)2. Is there a common DC (12 volt system) ground already established to complete the circuit since you have only one of the two wires required for a DC circuit? I have an OE also, but don't recall if the J1772 established a common ground with the 12 volt system - or if you'd want to use it if so since it may be used for "signalling" with voltage spikes potentially interfering.

Bottom line, if these is some way to do this with the OE supplied plug/wiring (I too have the extra wire), I'd be interested.

QueenBee wrote:So pluging in my 12 volt charger is kind of a pain. My OpenEVSE has a cordset that has the extra wire for proximity. I'm thinking if I extend a 12 volt cable to the charge hatch. Then rewire the proximity wire in the handle with a 12 volt pigtail that'll plug in to the connector now under the hatch. Then on the EVSE side connect the proximity wire to another pigtail that I can plug my 12 volt charger into. Then I can charge the 12 volt battery by simply connecting the pigtail on the handle and hatch when I'm plugging in to charge.

What do you all think?

QueenBee;

Not too sure if I get the "jist" of what you are asking - but off the top, some things to check;1. Is the proximity wiring capable of handling the current of your charger? (could be OK with a trickle type)2. Is there a common DC (12 volt system) ground already established to complete the circuit since you have only one of the two wires required for a DC circuit? I have an OE also, but don't recall if the J1772 established a common ground with the 12 volt system - or if you'd want to use it if so since it may be used for "signalling" with voltage spikes potentially interfering.

Bottom line, if these is some way to do this with the OE supplied plug/wiring (I too have the extra wire), I'd be interested.

1. I don't need anything high amperage at all so I assume the wire gauge isn't a problem. 2. I haven't verified this but I assume that the J1772 cordset ground is bonded to the frame of the vehicle and thus one step I didn't mention would be connecting the 12 volt charger's negative to the ground in the EVSE.

QueenBee wrote:So pluging in my 12 volt charger is kind of a pain. My OpenEVSE has a cordset that has the extra wire for proximity. I'm thinking if I extend a 12 volt cable to the charge hatch. Then rewire the proximity wire in the handle with a 12 volt pigtail that'll plug in to the connector now under the hatch. Then on the EVSE side connect the proximity wire to another pigtail that I can plug my 12 volt charger into. Then I can charge the 12 volt battery by simply connecting the pigtail on the handle and hatch when I'm plugging in to charge.

This is similar to what I did. I ran the SAE plug to the charging port on the car side. I have a Battery Tender with a 12 foot SAE extension hanging right near the evse line from above. It hangs to just above the floor if I let it go and is just to the left of the garage door. Then I can just swing it over, plug it in at the charge port and its good to go. Then unplug it and let it swing away and it hangs back out of the way. No more opening the hood or cords dragging on the floor.

But it is making me think of simply electrical taping the SAE line to the evse line, then it would be right there as well. But then again I don't always need the 12v line there.